Lake Titicaca Bolivia

Bolivia

Lake Titicaca Bolivia Travel Information

The Basics

Time

GMT -4.

Electricity

220 volts, 50Hz. US flat two-pin plugs and one with round grounding pin are used.

Language

Spanish is an official language, but only 60 to 70 percent of the people actually speak it, and then often only as a second language. There are also many indigenous languages which are official, including Quechua and Aymar.

Travel Health

Altitude sickness is the most common complaint in Bolivia, with
much of the country lying above 10,000 feet (3,050m). This is
particularly relevant to diabetics and those with heart complaints
or chest problems, who should seek advice before travelling to
Bolivia. Take Acetazolamide (Diamox) or drink coca tea to alleviate
symptoms. A yellow fever vaccination is strongly advised, as
outbreaks do occur, particularly after flooding, and it is a
requirement for those entering from infected areas. Malaria is
prevalent in some parts of the country, and dengue fever is on the
increase. Vaccinations are recommended for hepatitis A and
hepatitis B, and a vaccination for typhoid should be considered if
travelling to rural areas. Sanitation and hygiene are poor in some
areas so be wary of what is eaten; avoid under-cooked meat and
unpeeled fruit and vegetables, and only drink bottled water.
Comprehensive medical insurance is strongly recommended as medical
facilities are generally not of a high standard in Bolivia.

Tipping

A service charge is normally added to restaurant and hotel bills
in Bolivia but it is customary to add a five to 10 percent tip for
good service. Hotel porters also expect a small tip. Taxi drivers
are not usually tipped unless they are hired for a full day, in
which case an extra 10 percent is acceptable.

Safety Information

Street protests and strikes often affect La Paz, Cochabamba and
Santa Cruz as well as regions of the Central Highlands (Altiplano)
and the Yungus. Main tourist centres may be affected and visitors
should keep informed about the political climate. Strikes also
often disrupt transport to and from the international airport in La
Paz and along other main roads. Travellers should avoid
demonstrations and not attempt to pass through or go around
roadblocks, and monitor the local media.

Although Bolivia is generally a safe country, visitors should
still be vigilant at all times. Pick-pocketing on buses or in
crowded areas is common and baggage theft occurs at stations. Many
thieves work in teams to distract their victims. Female tourists
should avoid taking jungle and pampas tours on their own and always
avoid unlicensed guides. Express kidnappings are also on the
increase and travellers should be vigilant at all times. Penalties
for drug possession are extremely severe and visitors should be
vigilant with luggage and any belongings. Criminals posing as
police officers and taxi drivers are targeting foreign tourists;
there have been increasing incidents of robberies of this nature
and visitors are warned to be cautious at all times. Violent
attacks have occurred recently in Copacabana, especially targeting
those travelling overland between Peru and Bolivia. Months of heavy
rainfall are usually responsible for flooding and mudslides
throughout the country, which can severely affect transport; the
rainy season is usually from November to March.

Local Customs

In conversation rural Bolivians should be referred to as
campesinos (subsistence farmers) rather than Indians.
'Machismo' is very much alive and husband and wife roles within the
family are very traditional. Homosexuality is frowned upon,
particularly in the Altiplano.

Business

Relationship building in Bolivia is important and getting down
to business might take some time, so do not rush things.
Negotiations are generally quite slow, and face-to-face
communication is preferred over phone calls or written
communications; therefore, be prepared to make many trips before a
deal can be made. Punctuality is expected, even if the meeting
doesn't start on time, and schedules are often just a guideline
making meetings fairly unstructured; deadlines are not generally
considered important. Business people are expected to wear suits.
Meetings begin and end with handshakes, although one should wait
for a woman to extend her hand first. It is important to include a
person's professional title in the greeting if applicable,
otherwise use Señor (Mr) or Señora (Mrs) with the
surname. Business cards should also include any academic
qualifications, and should have one side translated into Spanish;
most business is conducted in Spanish and materials will need to be
translated into Spanish. Women are generally considered subordinate
in the workplace and visiting businesswomen should emphasise their
qualifications and work experience. Office hours are generally
8:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday, with a long break over
lunch.

Communications

The international access code for Bolivia is +591. The outgoing
code depends on what network is used (e.g. 0010 for Entel, or 0013
for Boliviatel), which is followed by the relevant country code
(e.g. 001044 for the United Kingdom). The area code for La Paz is
2, but the access code to make a call within the country from
another area also depends on what network is used. Mobile phones
operate on a GSM network. Internet cafes are widely available in La
Paz and other major tourist areas.

Duty Free

Travellers to Bolivia over the age of 18 years can bring the
following items into the country without incurring customs duty:
100 cigarettes, 25 cigars and 200 grams of tobacco, 1 bottle of
alcoholic beverage and a reasonable amount of perfume for personal
use. Technology such as cameras, laptops and cellphones are limited
to one per person for personal use. Newly purchased goods to the
value of US$1,000 per person are also duty free. Travellers
departing from the country should note that it is illegal to leave
with the following items without prior written permission from the
appropriate local authority: pre-Colombian artefacts, historical
paintings, items of Spanish colonial architecture and history and
native textiles.

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